His Vows and My Silent Exit

I stood there, totally thrown.

It felt just like the day my family went down. I had begged Ryan in front of everyone, only to get humiliated.

Ethan had swooped in, yanking me out of that hell. I had thought it was a lifeline. Turned out, it was a bigger hole.

Lily sashayed over, grabbed my hand, and smiled all sweet. "Quit picking on her. I'm glad she's here."

Even without her spelling it out, I got the jab. I used to be the golden girl, while she was just some new-money chick clawing her way in.

Now the same jerks who had snubbed her back then were laughing at me. I sighed at the twist of life. I guessed every dog had its day.

She played it like she was saving me. In fact, she was insinuating that I wasn't that dazzling heiress anymore.

I clenched my fists, shaking with anger.

Before knowing the truth, I had leaned on Ethan like he was my shield. Now he would just let her rip me apart. When push came to shove, Lily was always his choice.

I forced a smile and dug up some nerves. "Lily, happy birthday. I'm feeling off, so I'm outta here."

I tried slipping my arm free, but she stumbled back, yelping like I had shoved her.

Ryan and Ethan rushed up, catching her in time.

She straightened up and whined, "I just wanted you to stick around and catch up on old times with us. Why did you push me? Are you still mad I took Ryan? I thought you moved on."

Ryan glared at me. "You just never change. How could you hurt Lily? I need you to apologize to her."

He turned to Ethan. "Rein her in. If Lily's hurt, you're both screwed."

"Apologize!" Ethan stared me down, his tone brooking no argument.

That was a cheap move. Anyone with half a brain could see she set me up, but not one soul in that room had my back.

My old sweetheart and my husband would rather play her game than stand by me. My chest ached so bad I couldn't breathe.

I silently hoped I had gone with my parents back then, saving all the humiliation now. I was tired of this kind of miserable life where I was tricked and trapped, scraping by like dirt.

I laughed at myself, staring at Ethan as tears fogged my eyes. "Are you serious?"

It was clearly her stunt, but he didn't blink. "You messed up. Don't spoil the fun here."

My heart throbbed, the pain spreading like wildfire. I hoped he would at least dodge my gaze and show some scrap of conscience.

He didn't. To him, I was worthless.